Arthur's Personal Touch: SMH
Guru Eels mentor Brad Arthur has adapted surplus greyhound technology to nurture his ailing ex Manly stars.
Faced with injuries and a long drive each day from the Northern Beaches, Anthony Watmo and Kevin Foran will now make the round trip in an air conditioned greyhound box trailer. Arthur will personally tow them behind his SUV.
"The kids were really struggling, so I have had a greyhound trailer upgraded with hyperbaric technology. I'll pick up the boys and they can lie down in comfort, healing, while I drive them to training." Arthur said at a media event earlier today.
Arthur is thought to have acquired the greyhound box, complete with water bowls, from contacts in the now decimated dog racing industry.
And he's willing to share.
"Des has agreed to drop by and pick up the boys in the trailer on his way back to Collaroy, to save me driving back each day."
"Dog Box" Slammed by RLPA, Hasler
The revolutionary transport developed by Eels mentor Brad Arthur to encourage ex manly stars to attend training and recover from injury, has attracted criticism this afternoon.
The trailer, initially dubbed the "blue and gold healer" by Eels boss Steve Sharp, has been slammed by the Rugby League Players Association.
"Our sister organisation the RSPCA has condemned the use of box trailers for greyhounds, so there is no way we can support its use as transport for Choc and Kevin."
Sharp, in a labourious attempt to explain the "pun" behind the box's name responded.
"The boys are blue because they are injured, and have to travel. It's a healer because it has hyperbaric pressure and will heal their knees, backs, hammies etc. And it's gold because it'll fix things for us at Parra", Sharp explained, apparently unaware that the "blue and gold" part of the trailer's nickname could also be considered a pun, given it is descriptive of the Eels' colours.
Canterbury coach Des Hasler, originally a supporter of the trailer, foreshadowed what could become an ugly court case.
"Any mad scheme to heal players more quickly infringes my intellectual property. In fact I have a patent in this type of device, and will seek the services of Julieanne Levick in bringing proceedings before the Supreme Court", Hasler told journalists this afternoon.
